That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Los Angeles Dodgers

By Mike Azzalina

Apr 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) hits a double during the eighth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (38) pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pitcher: Brandon McCarthy

With Kenta Maeda and Hyun-Ji Ryu not off to career-defining starts, McCarthy is more than likely going to be the pitcher the Phillies are looking to beat this weekend. They will face him on Saturday night. And McCarthy is off to a very nice start in 2017.

He is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 22 strikeouts over 24 innings. He has yet to give up more than two earned runs in starts against the division-leading Diamondbacks on two occasions and the defending World Champion Chicago Cubs.

He has only had two starts against the Phillies over the course of his 11-year career. The numbers are skewed as a result. Instead, let’s focus on his numbers in Dodger Stadium, which includes a 2.80 ERA, a .237 batting average against, and a 5-1 record.

McCarthy has added a changeup to his repertoire in 2017 and it seems to have made a significant difference in his success. As long as he stays healthy, his five-pitch arsenal could be a major piece to the success of the Dodgers this season.

Next: Joely Rodriguez Bouncing Back From Rough Start

The Phillies will have to find a way to get to his fastball early in counts. They have done an incredible job of working into fastball counts over the last week, so if they can continue that trend against McCarthy who is not necessarily a hard thrower (he mostly sits in the low to mid-90s), they should be able to scratch out a victory.

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